Free Waves MCQs with Answers
1,281 Waves MCQs from Physics, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Progressive waves transfer energy through oscillations, with wavelength, frequency, amplitude and wave speed related by v = fλ; sound speed depends on the medium. Superposition produces interference and stationary waves in strings and organ pipes, while simple harmonic motion describes the oscillation itself and must be distinguished from wave propagation.
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- A. Mean position
- B. Extreme position
- C. In between mean and extreme
- D. All positions during SHM
Explanation: The total mechanical energy of ideal SHM is E = 1/2 kA² and remains constant as kinetic energy changes into potential energy and back.
Correct answer: All positions during SHM- A. Infinite
- B. T/g
- C. Zero
- D. g/T
Explanation: For a pendulum, T = 2π√(L/g_eff). During free fall, the lift and pendulum accelerate downward together, so the effective gravity g_eff…
Correct answer: Infinite- A. Force
- B. Pressure
- C. Surface tension
- D. Loudness
Explanation: From Hooke's law F = kx, the force constant has unit k = F/x = N/m. Surface tension also has unit force per length, N/m, so it has the…
Correct answer: Surface tension- A. Rotational motion
- B. Circular motion
- C. Musical arrangement
- D. Vibratory motion
Explanation: SHM is an oscillatory or vibratory motion in which the restoring acceleration is proportional to displacement and directed toward the mean…
Correct answer: Vibratory motion- A. 1 hertz
- B. 0.5 hertz
- C. 1.5 hertz
- D. 2.5 hertz
Explanation: A second pendulum has time period T = 2 s by definition. Its frequency is f = 1/T = 1/2 s = 0.5 s^-1 = 0.5 Hz.
Correct answer: 0.5 hertz- A. mg cosθ
- B. mg sinθ
- C. mg tonθ
- D. mg
Explanation: For a pendulum at angle θ, the tangential component of its weight is F = mg sin θ, directed toward the mean position, and this component…
Correct answer: mg sinθ- A. 4 times
- B. 6 times
- C. 8 times
- D. 2 times
Explanation: The pendulum period is T = 2π√(L/g), so T is proportional to the square root of length.
Correct answer: 2 times- A. 4 seconds
- B. 3 seconds
- C. 2 seconds
- D. 6 seconds
Explanation: A second pendulum is defined as a pendulum whose time for one complete oscillation is 2 s. Hence its time period is T = 2 s.
Correct answer: 2 seconds- A. The square root of amplitude
- B. The amplitude
- C. Reciprocal of amplitude
- D. Square of an amplitude
Explanation: The total energy of SHM is E = 1/2 kA², where A is the amplitude and k is the force constant.
Correct answer: Square of an amplitude- A. mean position
- B. extreme position
- C. middle between the mean and extreme position on the right side
- D. middle between the mean and extreme position on the left side
Explanation: For SHM, v = ω√(A² - x²), so velocity is greatest when displacement x = 0.
Correct answer: mean position- A. Vibration S-2
- B. Radian
- C. Hertz
- D. ms-1
Explanation: Frequency is the number of complete vibrations per second, and its SI unit is hertz (Hz), equivalent to s^-1.
Correct answer: Hertz- A. Standing wave
- B. Sine wave
- C. Square wave
- D. None
Explanation: In simple harmonic motion, displacement varies with time as a sine or cosine function, so its waveform is a sine wave.
Correct answer: Sine wave- A. P E remains constant
- B. K E remain constant
- C. total energy remains constant
- D. total momentum remains constant
Explanation: In ideal vibratory motion, kinetic energy changes into potential energy and back again, but their sum, the total mechanical energy…
Correct answer: total energy remains constant- A. Soundlogy
- B. Acoustics
- C. Neurology
- D. Physiology
Explanation: Acoustics is the branch of physics that studies sound, including its production, transmission and properties.
Correct answer: Acoustics75. Mach is the unit of measurement in stating the speed of a moving object in relation to__________?
- A. The speed of sound
- B. The speed of other object
- C. The speed of light
- D. The speed of air resistance
Explanation: Mach number is the ratio of an object's speed to the local speed of sound: Mach number = object speed (m/s) ÷ sound speed (m/s).
Correct answer: The speed of sound- A. 60 db
- B. 80 db
- C. 100 db
- D. 120 db
Explanation: The threshold of pain is conventionally taken to be about 120 dB, corresponding to a very large sound intensity compared with the…
Correct answer: 120 db- A. 4 : 1
- B. 1 : 1
- C. 2 : 1
- D. 1 : 2Educational Resources
Explanation: For a gas at constant temperature, the speed of sound is independent of pressure because v = √(γRT/M), which contains temperature and gas…
Correct answer: 1 : 1- A. 313°C
- B. 586°C
- C. 819°C
- D. 1172°C
Explanation: For a gas, sound speed is proportional to the square root of absolute temperature.
Correct answer: 819°C- A. 20000 to 30000 hertz
- B. 10 to 20 hertz
- C. 2000 to 4000 hertz
- D. 6000 to 8000 hertz
Explanation: The human ear is most sensitive to frequencies around 2000 to 4000 Hz, where the threshold of hearing is lowest.
Correct answer: 2000 to 4000 hertz- A. 1.61 ms-1
- B. 61.0 ms-1
- C. 0.61 ms-1
- D. 2.00 ms-1
Explanation: Near ordinary temperatures, the speed of sound in air increases by approximately 0.61 m s^-1 for every 1 °C rise in temperature.
Correct answer: 0.61 ms-1